Breaking: Canucks assign former first round pick to the AHL!

The Vancouver Canucks have assigned forward Nikolay Goldobin to the Utica Comets (AHL), the team announced on Saturday. The 22-year old forward played 14 games in Vancouver this season, scoring two goals and two assists for a total of four points. At the AHL level, Goldobin has seven goals and 12 assists for 19 points in 18 games with the Comets.

Drafted 27th overall by the San Jose Sharks in 2014, Goldobin was acquired via trade by the Canucks in 2017, in a deal that sent Jannik Hansen to San Jose. He played 37 games in the NHL so far, scoring six goals and three assists for a total of nine points. In the AHL, the Russian forward scored 52 goals and 63 assists for 115 points in 144 games played (regular season and playoffs included). 

This move is linked to the fact the forward Brandon Sutter, who is sidelined since November 24th with a groin injury, could be back in the lineup Sunday to play against the Minnesota Wild. Even if Sutter can't play tomorrow, it was almost certain that Goldobin would be heading back to the AHL in the next couple of days. He only played 6:32 against the Columbus Blue Jackets yesterday (a season-low for him), and the Comets are playing three games this week, so playing a lot of games with a lot of ice-time could certainly help to build his confidence back up. 

The Canucks are currently seventh in the Pacific division with a record of 17-21-6. 

We will keep you updated on Sutter's status for tomorrow's game against the Wild!